It's that time of year again, and I've got the travel bug! The adventures will begin with the whole family in Vietnam and Cambodia. After my dad flies home, my ma, sister, and I will explore the beaches of Thailand. Then, my sister and I are let loose to roam Southeast Asia heading towards Nepal and northern India. Mid April I fly to Zambia to volunteer for a month at Appeased School before starting work in San Francisco. Ready or not, HERE I COME!

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Traveling

As I’m ending this chapter of my life and about to start a
new one, I think about what I’ve been through and the memories I have made.
Europeans are very different compared to Americans. For the most part, they are
a lot more environmentally friendly. Families only own one car, the houses and
apartments are smaller, and people use public transportation everyday. There is
deposit on bottles and everything is recycled or reused. The food consists mostly
of bread, cheese, meat, and butter. Oh the German’s love their butter. When
they eat, they take their time. They talk in between bites, and the waiter
never brings the check until the customers ask. In the US, eating is a chore.
You’re in, you’re out, and the check is on the table before you finish. If you
stay after you’re done, it’s often times looked down upon. Here, people are not
as stressed, and they “prost” before every drink. There’s a German saying that
only pigs drink by themselves (it rhymes in German). People really enjoy each
others' company. One bad thing is that mineral water is all they drink and tap
is unheard of. It would also be nice to see more water fountains and not have
to pay for every restroom.

Through my journeys, the biggest thing I have learned is:
people are people. Despite these differences, everyone still has friends and
family, wants to be loved and respected, cares for others, and enjoys having
fun. Some people have a harder time expressing their needs and feelings, but in
the scheme of things, we all are the same. Yes, some go to college and others
don’t. Yes, some receive the Nobel Peace Prize while others beg on the streets.
Some are born into money, some make it, and some never have it. When anyone
looks at someone as “different” they do not understand that we are all the
same; they have not traveled. Although an individual can’t change the world on
their own, they can make small changes which have endless potential. Next time
you hear or see prejudice, say something; do something. If you think it is ok
to discriminate, then you need to travel. Some can gain this perspective
without leaving their hometown and some travel the world and still don’t learn
this lesson. All in all, people are people. They gossip and hurt one another.
They care and they save lives. This happens everywhere so don’t take the bad to
heart and remember the good forever. Everyone has their story; don’t judge
before you know it.

Time never stops and life keeps moving. Missing the past is unavoidable, but look forward for the
future and live in the present. People come and go. You will stay in contact
with some and never see others again. Some will immensely impact your life.
Always have an open mind; you can learn something from anyone. When you are
caught in a bad, sad, or frustrating moment, remember life goes on. When you
are scared to do something, think about worst case scenario and consider the
idea “then what?”. For example, if you want to move to Hawaii to but are nervous,
the worst case scenario is that you don’t get a job or don’t find somewhere to
live. Then what? You move back to where you came from, start work again, and
life goes on. Another example is that you’re scared to tell your parents about
an expensive speeding ticket. Worst case scenario, they get mad and make you
pay for your own insurance. Then what? Your parents won’t stay mad forever and
you start saving money to pay for the insurance, life goes on.